The Cooking Chronicles: White Chocolate Tartlets

Dessert party practice-run #2 involved a Giada recipe for White Chocolate Hazelnut Tartlets. As neither of us had worked with phyllo pastry before, I knew we had to try it with time to spare before attempting to duplicate it without error next week.

After finding out that toasting hazelnuts would take nearly half an hour, I decided to leave them out this time. The white chocolate and whipped cream mixture was a cinch to whip up, and after it had chilled in the fridge for an hour, it was time to move on to the phyllo.

I had let the package thaw on the counter since the afternoon, so the thin sheets of pastry were more than pliable. So much so that a tear appeared in more than one sheet. Thankfully, the layers of brushed butter and phyllo covered any small mistakes we made.

We scrunched them down in large muffin tins, doing our best to create “artful” edges, and baked them for about 8 minutes. We figured the mini-muffin tins would be better for dessert-party servings, and will be making smaller versions next week.

A drop of Nutella into a cooled phyllo cup, a dollop of white chocolate whipped cream, and a sprinkling of chocolate shavings later, the tartlets was done. One that should be made just prior to serving, it may be the only dessert that we will be creating from scratch (the Nutella doesn’t count, Andrea), the morning of.

Just over a week to go!

Mack doing the dishes (he offered!)
White Chocolate Tartlets

Delivered at your own Expense: Dawat

A combination of three things resulted in our decision to order from Dawat on Saturday: 1) I was feeling particularly lazy; 2) I had been craving Indian food for the last week; and 3) Mack was on a spicy-food streak that he didn’t want to break.

I had read positive things about Dawat (granted, from an eat-in experience), but as the advertisement in the 2007/2008 Yellow Pages restaurants section boasted a promise of free delivery for those in the south side, our decision was made.

We called the Dawat located in Little India (9250 34 Avenue), and ordered Butter Chicken (a must), Beef Vindaloo (always spicy), Mixed Vegetables (for token healthiness), and Garlic Naan (when I asked how big the serving size was, I received a response of “Good enough.”). We had some coconut milk in the house, and though more Thai than Indian, my Mum made us some coconut rice to accompany our dishes.

At the end of our order, I was told the total would be $45.99, including tax. Count me surprised – my estimated total from the prices listed in the Restaurant Pages was closer to $37. It turns out the beef and chicken dishes had increased in cost from $11.95 to $14.95, while the vegetables had gone up from $8.95 to $11.95. Though I don’t regret giving their delivery service a try, it would have been cheaper just to take advantage of their in-house buffet.

At any rate, our order was delivered promptly within the 45 to 60 minute range, with all of our food still fairly hot. The containers were smaller than we expected however, especially given the exorbitant price increase over the last year.

The butter chicken was the definite stand-out of the three – tender meat enveloped in a thick, slightly sweet sauce. It was also the least spicy of the dishes, and the only one I could actually taste; after a few bites of the beef vindaloo and mixed vegetables, I was crying for milk, or anything else that would return the sensation into my mouth.

We had enough food left over for another meal at the end of it, and it did satisfy my craving for Indian cuisine, but because of the expense, I still don’t think it was worth it.

Take-out!

Bustling but Bland: Upper Crust Cafe

I met May for brunch at Upper Crust Cafe (10909 86 Avenue) on Saturday morning. I had been there for dinner many years ago, but had been meaning to try their popular Saturday brunch for a while now.

No reservations were permitted, so we made sure to arrive before 11am to hopefully avoid the weekend breakfast crowd. There were quite a few seats when I stepped into the restaurant, and thus I was seated right away. While waiting for May, I surveyed the dining area. I loved the bustling room, with the irresistible chiming of dishes and conversational overtones catching in the rafters. The room, lined with windows allowing for the meek sunshine available that morning to pour through, helped brighten the space, and made for a lovely daytime setting.

After May arrived, we looked over the menu, focusing on the more filling options. What stuck out the most to me were the reasonable prices – none of the plates were over $10. May chose the Tex-Mex Eggs, 2 poached eggs on an English muffin,with spicy salsa, served with hashbrowns and fresh fruit garnish ($9.75), while I opted for one of the three omelette options (potato, green onion, cheese), which was served with multigrain toast and fresh fruit garnish ($9.75).

The service wasn’t notable (it took a while for my coffee to be refilled), but it wasn’t horrible either, especially given the size of the room our server had to cover. That said, the food wasn’t particularly exciting either. May found the salsa rather bland, and the English muffin underneath her eggs too soggy to be enjoyable. My omelette was rather devoid of cheese, and although the potatoes provided the hearty kick that I was looking for, even a side of ketchup would have added some needed “flavour” to my dish.

While I can’t say I won’t be back (the setting and location of Upper Crust make it a convenient meeting place), there are a few other local brunch spots I’d defer to before returning.

Menu
Tex-Mex Eggs
3 Egg Omelette (with some potato peeking out)

Fresh and Friendly: Da Capo Cafe

I had a quick coffee at Da Capo Caffe (8738-109 Street) over the summer, but I had always been meaning to go back to give their menu a try. An opportunity came up on Wednesday evening to do so.

While I’m still not sure that I like the design of the cafe, I understand the reasoning behind it. The dining area is essentially split in half by the substantially-sized staff/food preparation area smack in the middle of the cafe. This does allow for two lines – one for espressos and another for food, but in my opinion this division creates a lack of harmony in the seating space.

At any rate, I approached a staff member with the simple question of “What is there to eat?” He led me to a chalkboard menu on the other side of the counter, listing a dozen or so pizzas, calzones and salads in the $10-15 range. I did a quick scan of my options, and chose the Margherita ($10.50, including tax). A patron next to me in line ordered the black truffle-prosciutto-parmesan variety without hesitation, which the server noted was his own favorite, so I may have to return in the future to try a more adventurous topping combination. A note on payment – cash is the only means accepted, so like Leva, you have to be prepared.

I took a seat on one of the stools facing the windows looking out onto 109 Street (I find the rest of the space much too dim), and was immediately brought my requested glass of water. The wait was tempered by a free weekly I had picked up on the way, and half-way through the paper, my pizza arrived. The server wasn’t kidding when he said the pizza was ideal for sharing – it was huge! The sauce was reminiscent of the sweet tomato base used by Famoso, nice and light, but the best part of the pizza was by far the crust. Addictively crunchy, I would have gladly consumed an entire plate of breadsticks made from the bread alone. And though it hit the spot that day, I would pick Leva’s version if forced to choose.

Still, with great service and interesting menu items, I wouldn’t hesitate to return to Da Capo.

Margherita Pizza

The 2008-2009 Citadel Theatre Season

I’ve mentioned my affinity for local, community-based theatre instead of the more mainstream and well-known Citadel Theatre in the past. But if their upcoming 2008-2009 season is any indication of future offerings, I may have to look at integrating their plays into my yearly theatre schedule.

Ronnie Burkett, master puppeteer, will be premiering his brand new show, Billie Twinkie: Requiem for a Golden Boy, in October. From the media release:

“Billy Twinkle is a middle-aged cruise ship puppeteer who dazzles audiences with his Stars in Miniature marionette niteclub act. His saucy burlesque stripper Rusty Knockers titillates the tourists, octogenarian Murray Spiegelmann invokes sidesplitting laughter with the inflatable balloon in his pants, Bumblebear juggles and roller-skates and steals the hearts of every audience, and Biddy Bantam Brewster brings a bit of highbrow hilarity to the high seas with her drunken aria. Billy is the best in the business and on top of the world as he floats along through life.

“Until he is fired by the cruiseline. Standing at the edge of the ship contemplating a watery demise, Billy is abruptly called back to reality when his dead mentor Sid Diamond appears as a hand puppet. Sid literally will not leave his side, and forces Billy to re-enact his life as a puppet show in order to remember and rekindle the passion Billy once had for puppets, people and the dream of a life that sparkles.

“For anyone stuck in the middle – mid-career, mid-love, mid-life – caught between our own past and future, this requiem for a golden boy shines a little light on the wonder of youthmeeting the wisdom of age with a kick in the pants to finish what we started.”

It sounds whimsical, fantastical, and I have no doubt it will be a visual spectacle that has to be seen. I can already see the beads of sweat forming on Burkett’s brow, as when he last peformed in Edmonton.

March will see the premiere of Extinction Song:

“Meet James. Seven years old, he has escaped to a fantasy world where he is being raised by wolves. Every day is a new adventure until, frightened they are on the verge of becoming extinct, James and the wolves concoct a plan to save themselves. Extinction Song is a funny, tender and heartbreaking account of a child’s way of coping with the troubled world around him.”

The primary reason behind wanting to see this play is attributed to the star – none other than Ron Pederson! He’s more than used to wacky roles after cutting many a tooth on Stewart Lemoine’s creations, and I can just see him easily retreating back into a believable, heartbreaking childlike state similar to the character he played in the last half of Shocker’s Delight! I can’t wait.

I’ve actually already seen Marty Chan’s The Forbidden Phoenix. Or at least, the earlier incarnation without the music and Peking Opera-inspiration. From the release:

“This fascinating new play by Edmonton’s literary genius Marty Chan is loosely based on the experience of the Chinese immigrants brought to Canada to work on the railroad in the 1800s. The enthralling story weaves together elements of history, diversity and environmentalism.

“Sun Wukong is the Monkey King, torn from his son Laosan and exiled to the west after displeasing the almighty Empress Dowager. Forced to work for the mighty Horne in Terminal City, he sets off to make his fortune. He need only conquer Gold Mountain and free the Iron Dragon to realize his dream of being reunited with his son.

“This enthralling fable is a fusion of Peking Opera, martial arts, acrobatics and “western” musical theatre. This powerful story of a father’s sacrifice to provide for his family will stay with you always.”

I remember being disappointed with the original Forbidden Phoenix, but beyond that, I can’t remember any specifics. That said, it’s been interesting following Chan’s process while writing and revising this new version of the play on his blog, so I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least attempt to see the final product.

It should be clear that my interest in the Citadel is less about the institution itself and more about my desire to follow my favorite actors and writers to whatever stage they will be performing on. And if anything, I hope exposure to these local artists will draw those who rarely venture beyond the Citadel to the other theatre districts in Edmonton.

#500

Plugging away at this blog, juggling restaurant reviews, staying afloat of local culinary news, and maintaining my kitchen experiments have almost become an unpaid part-time job. But I love it.

I didn’t start this blog with the intent of narrowing the focus to all things epicurean, but it has become that way, and I have accepted my development into a full-fledged food enthusiast. And what better common ground than exercising one’s sense of taste? Food is disarming; it brings people together; but most of all, it facilitates memorable experiences. In blogging about restaurants and recipes, I hope that my excitement about the possibilities of food translate – dishes to gather around, places perfect for a specific mood or occasion, and events that incite a better appreciation for what the city has to offer.

As mentioned in my three hundredth post, it was no coincidence that my interest in food heightened right around the time that I began documenting my eating adventures. What I didn’t realize until recently however, is how important of a role those around me have played in supporting my newfound appreciation for everything edible. From my diner buddy to my pho friend, Latin food connoisseur and Asian cuisine cheerleader, coworkers who never tire of my incessant ramblings, and all who have shared a kitchen with me, I thank you for humoring me with your interest, patience, and appetites.

The best thing about a personal blog, of course, is that I don’t have to limit my content. I do still enjoy commenting about the arts scene, and in particular, the wonderful plays staged by the theatre community. And so, despite the proliferation of food-centric posts, I will continue to think of myself as a blogger who simply happens to write often about food.

Onward to the next 500! Thanks for reading!

The Cooking Chronicles: Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwiches

Before my string of cooking experimentations, I was quite used to biscuits made from dry mix. Just recently, I found out how much better from-scratch, cold butter-incorporated biscuits are. Ina Garten’s Cheddar-Dill version turned out great, and this afternoon, Mack and I decided to give Bobby Flay’s Buttermilk Biscuits a try.

I gave Mack the most difficult job of creaming the butter with the dry ingredients, and then having to try to form a ball of dough with the small amount of buttermilk we were permitted to wet the mixture with. I will admit to cheating a little and adding slightly more milk than called for in the recipe, but who wouldn’t? Also, because we had the intention of forming sandwiches out of our biscuits, we used a 3 inch circular cutter instead of the recommended 2.5 inches to allow for a more hearty serving.

Scooping up slices of chicken breast and shredding some marble we had sitting in the fridge, our sandwiches were born (we considered scrambling eggs briefly as well, but by then, we just wanted to assemble and eat them). The biscuits were flaky and crunchy, just the way I like them, though really, with the butter content, this recipe is almost fail safe.

I’d be interested in playing with different filling combinations (basil/buffalo mozzarella/tomato, crushed fruit), and making this recipe a weekend breakfast standby.

Buttermilk Biscuits with Smoked Chicken and Marble Cheese

Tidbits: Notes on Edmonton’s Epicurean Scene

  • See Magazine reviewed the recently opened Mor, a new Mediterreanean Turkish restaurant (15620 95 Street, 758-4545).
  • Where Edmonton reports that Acqua Marina Italian Restaurant (13578 Fort Road, 457-8855) is receiving critical acclaim.
  • As noted in City Palate, Mangiamos (10124 124 Street) will be transforming into Vintage Lounge, which will offer “a distinctive wine list in a sleek and sexy atmosphere.” I hope this change means at least more consistent operating hours.
  • The Edmonton Journal reviewed Way of Life Mode de Vie (10203 116 Street) in their Style section on Saturday, a vegan restaurant that opened at the end of last year.
  • Sorrentino’s launches their 17th annual month-long Garlic Festival on April 1.
  • While not independent, these restaurant groups are prospering in chain-happy Edmonton: a new Swiss Chalet (4004 17 Street) is just about ready in the 17th Street complex; expect a new Hudsons in West Edmonton Mall in May; and a new Moxie’s is being built in South Edmonton Common.

Transcend Coffee

I’m a little torn on whether or not I should even write a review on our visit to Transcend Coffee (9869 62 Avenue), consistently lauded in the media and by local foodies for their approach to coffee. Granted, we had huge expectations, particularly after our sojourn to Calgary’s Phil & Sebastian’s, for an equally fantastic experience. But I’m sad to say that Transcend didn’t live up to the hype.

Surrounded by industrial buildings and warehouses, we weren’t sure what the inside of Transcend would look like. Turns out, they probably ended up choosing the off-the-beaten-path location more for cheap rent than anything else, as they had two whole floors to themselves, with the main floor divided into a retail front space with limited seating and a coffee “laboratory” and roasting area in a separate room in the back.

Count me as surprised when I spotted a Clover on the counter…I guess we didn’t have to head south after all to test out fresh French-pressed coffee. Anyway, I approached the barista with this open question, which in hindsight, probably wasn’t the right way to start off a conversation: “We’re new. Can you provide us with an introduction?” She probed us for our usual coffee preferences, and after telling her that we wanted a lighter brew, she recommended the Ethiopia Yirgacheffe. We ordered two regular Clover-brewed cups, which came to $5.

Though I understand that not every independent cafe employee is as outgoing and passionate as the one we encountered at Phil & Sebastian’s, it is difficult not to directly compare the two. Transcend’s barista really wasn’t chatty, and as we surveyed the room, it seemed to us that the Transcend crowd was made up entirely of regulars. That morning anyway, we felt like the odd patrons out.

After an abbreviated wait, we were given two filled coffee-press vessels and two Bodum double-walled glasses. We headed to the second floor to access their additional seating area, and found that we had the room to ourselves. While quiet, the furnishings had us thinking we had infiltrated someone’s home office and living room – between the desk and open files on one side, a mishmash of furniture, and a television in the corner, we didn’t feel as “at home” as we were supposed to.

Our coffee had a light brown hue to it, almost the color it takes on after the addition of milk. It was thin, and to me, had acidic notes to it, though Mack disagreed with that assertion. He remarked about its lack of an aftertaste, but we both noted that it probably wasn’t the type meant to provide that morning jolt – we were ready for more after finishing our cups. After my second brush with Clover-brewed coffee, I’m starting to question whether or not it does make a difference, at least to me. I hope the coffee tasting Mack and I are planning to attend later this spring will shed some light on specialty beans and brewing processes.

Perhaps Phil & Sebastian’s spoiled me, or perhaps I shouldn’t be looking for an “experience” at a cafe, but there has to be something (like the people and the passion behind the coffee) that sets the independents apart from the Starbucks and Second Cups of the world.

Exterior

At the bar

Second floor seating area

Our coffees

Not as Advertised: Pizzeria Prego

I posted earlier this month about Pizzeria Prego (5860 111 Street), specifically about wanting to try what I have been calling their “breakfast pizza.” The Sunrise, one of their many unique offerings, is advertised as being topped with zesty tomato sauce, mozzarella, bacon, scrambled egg, cheddar and tomatoes.

Mack and I decided to give Prego their due on Friday. I called just after 5:30pm to place an order, and was surprised when told that our pizza would be ready in 20 minutes. Perhaps it was the fact that they were open at all on a holiday, but we thought the supper rush would have had us waiting at least half an hour. Though I opted for the regular crust, I liked the fact that we had a few options to choose from, including whole what, sesame flax, and sunflower & pumpkin seed (they also sell frozen pizza dough for those interested).

We arrived at their Lendrum strip mall location after 6pm. They have a handful of tables set up for those wanting to eat in, but I’m certain the majority of their business is take-out and delivery-based. We were immediately greeted by a staff member, and provided with a plain white box, which appeared to be the only pizza on stand-by. The box had been sitting on what resembled a hot plate, but there were no heat lamps in sight.

Though we’ll gladly take some of the blame for not picking up the pizza more promptly, Mack would have preferred a hotter pie. I was more disappointed in the disparity between what was advertised on their website and flyer and the toppings that we were presented with. The sauce wasn’t “zesty” by any definition, the eggs were of the hard boiled and not scrambled variety, and there wasn’t a tomato in sight. A smattering of herbs (basil or perhaps parsley) would have added some nice color and freshness as well. On the bright side, the bacon was crisp and flavourful, and the crust was crunchy and just lightly oiled. It was also unusual that they decided to cut the slices into squares instead of the more typical triangles; that is something I would specifically request if we were to return to Prego in the future.

Pizzeria Prego does have a few more varieties I’d be interested in trying (the Spudizza for one: pizza dough brushed with garlic parsley butter, seasoned mashed potatoes, cheddar and real bacon bits), but at $22.49 for a large Sunrise, it definitely wouldn’t be an everyday indulgence.

Exterior

In box, will travel

Sunrise pizza